Inside Elephant Foot X-Rays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Elephant Foot X-Rays: How Disney Vets Keep Giants on the Move

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the well-being of every animal is a top priority, and that includes ensuring the largest residents—the African elephants—are comfortable and healthy. A key part of their annual health check-up is a detailed radiograph, or X-ray, of their feet. This practice is crucial, as an adult elephant can weigh between 6,000 and 13,000 pounds, making healthy feet essential for their mobility and comfort.

Related-Corra the African Elephant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Turns ONE!

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the well-being of every animal is a top priority, and that includes ensuring the largest residents—the African elephants—are comfortable and healthy. A key part of their annual health check-up is a detailed radiograph, or X-ray, of their feet. This practice is crucial, as an adult elephant can weigh between 6,000 and 13,000 pounds, making healthy feet essential for their mobility and comfort.

Related-Two-Month-Old African Elephant Calf Named Corra Joins the Herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

A Partnership Built on Trust

What’s truly remarkable about this process is that the elephants voluntarily participate in their own care. This is a testament to the powerful bond and trust built between the elephants and their keepers. Through positive reinforcement and patience, keepers train the elephants to step into a radiograph station and position their feet so the veterinary team can capture detailed images.

“Watching Stella calmly lift a foot or lean in just the right way for an X-ray, it’s pretty amazing,” says Bridget, one of the elephant keepers. “It shows how much trust we’ve built over time, and how much they understand what we’re asking. We’re partners in their care.”

This bond allows the veterinary team to examine bone alignment, growth, and other vital details to create personalized care plans for each elephant.

Inside the Vet Hospital

While the elephant foot X-rays happen backstage at their habitat, the park’s on-site veterinary hospital is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including X-ray, CT, and ultrasound equipment. Guests can even get a live look at some of these procedures for smaller animals by visiting Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

So, the next time you see an elephant gracefully moving across the savanna, remember that behind that serene image is a dedicated team of keepers and veterinarians, a deep bond of trust, and meticulous care to ensure every step is a healthy one.

Elephant Feet Facts

• Tiptoes: Elephants actually walk on their tiptoes! They have a hidden cushion of fat in their feet that acts as a natural shock absorber.
• Toenails: Each foot has five toes, but not all of them have visible toenails. Front feet typically have five, while back feet have four.
• Built-in Radar: Their sensitive soles can detect vibrations from miles away, helping them sense distant thunder or the footsteps of other elephants.

Ultimately, the story of the elephants’ foot x-rays is about more than just a medical procedure. It’s a powerful demonstration of the incredible bond between caretakers and the animals they serve. Through a blend of dedicated science, meticulous trust, and unwavering compassion, the team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ensures that every step their giants take is a healthy and comfortable one, reinforcing their commitment to the well-being of all the animals in their care.